The Department of Commerce fosters and promotes the nation's economic development and technological advancement through vigilance in international trade policy, domestic business policy and growth, and promoting economic progress at all levels.

Universities, colleges, junior colleges, technical schools, institutes, laboratories; any public or private corporation, partnership, or other association or entity; any State, political subdivision of a State or agency or officer thereof; any individual.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Organizations and individuals with professional interest in marine affairs.

Credentials/Documentation

Proposals with statement of work and estimated budget. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular Nos. A-87 for State and local governments, A-21 for educational institutions, and A-122 for nonprofit organizations.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

The standard application forms as furnished by the agency.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372 and OMB Circular No.

A-102.

Application Procedures

Made in a proposal to Headquarters Office or local Sea Grant program fully documenting need for grant and proposed amount. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A- 102.

Award Procedures

Awards are made competitively on the basis of proposal evaluation.

Deadlines

Vary, RFPs listed in Federal Register.

Authorization

Sea Grant College Program Improvement Act of 1976, Public Law 94-461, as amended, 33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq., as amended, Public Law 100-220; National Sea Grant College Program Act, Title III.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 90 to 180 days from time of proposal submission.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

By negotiation with Sea Grant Office.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

At least one-third of total cost must be obtained from nonfederal sources. Projects designed to meet specified national needs may be supported up to 100 percent.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

None.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Financial status reports and performance reports required quarterly.

Final reports are required at the end of the support period.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations; nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Grantees expected to maintain complete records for each grant to insure funds are used for purpose for which grant was made.

45 CFR 600-635; Literature: Suggestions for Submission of Proposals and Administration of Grants, National Sea Grant Program (no charge). Federal Register Vol. 43, No. 70 dates April 1978 and Vol. 43, No. 153 dated August 8, 1978, Part III, Title 15, Chapter IX, Part 917. Allowable cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes; OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit and for-profit organizations; OMB Circular A-21 for institutions of higher education; and 48 CFR Part 31 for commercial organizations. Financial assistance management will be in accordance with 15 CFR Part 14 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit and commercial organizations, and with 15 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments.

Applications are judged on the degree to which they contribute to the purposes of the Act, along with their relevance to the oceans, Great Lakes, and the marine environment. They are also judged on expected results and benefits, soundness of scientific approach, cost effectiveness, and other factors.